#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran William Stefaniuk

Born in Ukraine, William immigrated to the United States in 1949 with his family. He enlisted as an Airman Basic when he was 19 years old and trained at the Department of Air Police Training. There he was assigned to the 3628th School Squadron, 3275th Technical School.

During his time in the Air Force, William served with the 6313th Air Base Wing at Kadena Air Force Base in Japan and at Loring Air Force Base. He worked as an Air Policeman and in administration. One of his hobbies was chess and in 1962 he was crowned the Loring Air Force Base Chess Champion.

After separating from the military, William, father of six children, worked as a public school teacher in Ohio.

In a 1959 Lackland Talespinner feature, William, while training at Lackland Air Force Base said, “My father brought us to America to find freedom and we have found it.”

“The National Council for Home Safety and Security named Parma as one of the Top 100 Safest Cities in America. The organization is comprised of companies and individuals in the home safety and security industries.”

Many beautiful murals can be seen throughout Ukrainian Village in Parma, Ohio.

“State Meats has served up Ukrainian sausages and other specialties for more than forty years. So it seems the perfect place to display a mural welcoming all to Ukrainian Village.”

“Lviv International Food Store is home of delicious European food, drinks and dessert. It’s also home to some beautiful vinyl film wall art, provided by Brunswick company Inflatable Images.”

“The site of the old Parma Lock Service displays another view of Ukraine from Inflatable Images. These vinyl works were paid for with government-issued grants for city improvements.”

“Good Olde Daze has served Parma food and drinks for more than 25 years. Its scene of the Ukranian city of Lviv is the final piece of the government-funded art on State Road. Former Mayor Dean DePiero said aesthetic improvements such as these capitalize on Parma’s strong ethnic heritage and make the city more attractive to people and businesses.”

Many others can also be seen when driving, walking, or riding your bike on State Rd.